Frequently Asked Question(s)

Report of Marriage

For more information on Report of Marriage, click here.
For information not found below and any other inquiries, please email: rom@philembassy.org.nz

IS IT MANDATORY FOR A WOMAN TO ADOPT HER HUSBAND’S SURNAME? Under PH laws, a woman can retain her complete maiden name. A woman can also adopt her husband’s surname, and her maiden surname becomes her middle name. A woman can also affix her husband’s maiden surname by hyphenating.

For example, Ms. Maria Santos Garcia marries Mr. Jose Cruz. She can choose to be known as: (1) Maria Santos Garcia; (2) Maria Garcia Cruz; (3) Maria Santos Garcia-Cruz. WHY SHOULD I GET A PSA COPY OF MY REPORT OF MARRIAGE? Your PSA marriage certificate is an important official document required for various transactions in the Philippines. It is required if you are applying for licenses, IDs, and official documents. After six (6) months from the time of approval of the ROM, an authenticated copy from the PSA may be requested online at psahelpline.ph or psa.gov.ph. I AM A FILIPINO CITIZEN DIVORCED FROM MY FOREIGN HUSBAND. CAN I REMARRY? There is no divorce in the Philippines, but when a divorce is validly obtained abroad, the Filipino spouse shall have the capacity to remarry under Philippine law. However, the foreign divorce decree must first be judicially enforced or confirmed in the Philippines by filing the proper civil action at the Regional Trial Court in the Philippines. For more information on Judicial Recognition of Divorce, click here.